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Originally delivered on 3/11/2022 10:05 am

SUBJECT: The WhIStle newsletter - March 11th, 2022

March 11 2022

Edition # 205

UPCOMING DATES & EVENTS


MARCH

14 MarBOE Meeting
15 MarPTO Meeting via Zoom
15 MarBrian Williams, Kindness Ninja in person at WIS
16 MarDELAYED OPENING - Parent Conferences
17-18 Mar
EARLY DISMISSAL - Parent Conferences
21 Mar NO SCHOOL - Professional Development


QUICK LINKS

IN THIS ISSUE


  • PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
  • 2022-23 PTO BOARD
  • YEARBOOK PHOTOS NEEDED
  • NEXT PTO MEETING
  • NEXT BOE MEETING
  • MARCH MADNESS
  • 5TH GRADE PARENTS: JOIN WMS PTO BOARD!
  • HES KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
  • AROUND TOWN

PTO & SCHOOL NEWS

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

On March 2, 2022, First Selectwoman Sam Nestor hosted a zoom call to discuss the planning of school road. This was the second community conversation to share the research and plans that have been proposed so far and also to get input from the community. I encourage you to visit www.westonct.gov and the STEAM page. The Powerpoint is quite long, but very informative regarding the 4 plans that are proposed. Each has its own benefits, downfalls and price point. Please reach out to First Selectwoman Nestor, Superintendent Wolak, Board of Finance and Board of Education to share with them your point of view. They need to hear from parents regarding what we want for the schools. The next community meeting will be held in May 2022 and recommendations will be finalized in June 2022.


Brian Williams, the Kindness Ninja, will be with the students at WIS on Tuesday, March 15!! Kindness Nation was born out of the desire to create a central hub of amazing positive messaging apparel that carries with it a bigger message. One of hope, positivity, gratitude, empathy and of course. . . KINDNESS. This initiative is right in line with what our students learn at WIS. I hope you’ll take a minute to review his website and learn about his initiative. 


Because I don’t like to be all business and no fun, here are some St. Patrick’s Day jokes you can share with your kids:

What kind of spells do leprechauns use?    Lucky Charms!

Why do leprechauns hate running?   They’d rather jig than jog.

What did the leprechaun say when the video game ended?  Game clover!

Why shouldn’t you iron a four-leaf clover?  You might press your luck!

And my favorite!!!

What kind of music should you listen to on St. Patrick’s Day?  Sham-rock and roll!!


Have a great weekend!!

Debbie Carrothers

WIS PTO President 2021-2022


2022-23 PTO BOARD

Please consider volunteering yourself, or someone else, for a position on the WIS PTO board for the upcoming school year. Click on the link to complete the nomination form:


http://assn.la/UserForm.asp?RegID=228683&org=westonpspto.org     


If you have any questions, regarding any of the positions, please contact Mindy Fierro at mindyfierro@gmail.com

PLEASE HELP MAKE THE WIS YEARBOOK A SUCCESS!

Email photos to Sarah Gargiulo (seobrie@hotmail.com)

OR

Upload photos directly to: https://uploads.picabooyearbooks.com/9510673

If you upload to Picaboo, YOU MUST provide your email address and either choose appropriate event folder or provide event in notes field. Also, provide name/grade of student. Photos submitted without this info cannot be accepted.

PHOTOS NEEDED: 

  • 5th Grade Baby Pics
  • Band / Orchestra / Choir / Plays
  • Book Fair

Questions? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Sarah Gargiulo (seobrie@hotmail.com). 


To order your yearbook, visit 
https://store.shopyearbook.com/wis-2021-22.The password is wis2022.

NEXT PTO MEETING

The next meeting will be Tuesday, March 15th, at 9:30 am via Zoom (see details below).  

We look forward to seeing everyone who can make it then! 


Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87660269527


Meeting ID: 876 6026 9527

One tap mobile

+19294362866,,87660269527# US (New York)

NEXT BOE MEETING

A reminder that the next Board of Education meeting will be Monday, March 14th, at 7 pm in person and via YouTube.  It can be viewed via LiveStream or as a recording.  Public comment is welcomed.

You can access the LiveStream and Recording HERE!


MARCH MADNESS
  • How well do you know Weston High Sports?
  • How about college basketball?
  • Do you know who the tallest WHS team captain is?
  • Or which WHS team has been state champs the past 8 consecutive years?

 

MARCH MADNESS Trivia Contest is HERE!

 

Sign up now to play:  Register Here!

 

The contest opens on March 12, and answers are due online by March 15.

The winner will be announced after the Final Four games on April 2.

It’s only $25 to play and all proceeds will support our Weston athletes.  Spread the word to your friends.  Let’s see the competition heat up!

1ST PLACE – $175 in gift cards for Milestone, the Lunch Box, and Gaetanos!

2ND PLACE – $75 in gift cards for the Lunch Box and Stop & Shop!

3RD PLACE – $30 gift card for ASF Sports & Outdoors!

 

THANK YOU for supporting Weston High School Sports!

 

         GO TROJANS!!! 

 Any questions? Contact annmariemiles5@gmail.com.              

5th Grade Parents: Join the 2022-23 WMS PTO Board!

Hello 5th grade parents! 

We’d love to have you on the WMS PTO Board next year! It is the BEST way to have a say in your children’s WMS experience & work with and learn from other parents who also care deeply about our schools. We have positions perfect for stay at home parents, working parents, parents with young children, & parents who want to discuss ideas with others or work alone on a computer.  

If you would like to volunteer to hold a position on next year’s general or executive board, please complete the nominating form: Click Here.  

If you have questions regarding any of the positions, please feel free to contact Ann Kyle at AnnMikeKyle@gmail.com

The nomination form will close on March 15. 

HURLBUTT ELEMENTARY- KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

Children who will turn five years of age on or before January 1, 2023 are eligible

to begin kindergarten next fall. Please complete the online registration from the Hurlbutt website. The link to the “New Student Registration 22-23 School Year” is: https://westonps.org/schools/hurlbutt-elementary-school/new-student-registration/  Copy/paste the link into your internet browser to begin the registration process.


To complete your registration, we will need the following:

  • Online registration
  • Proof of Residency:
  • Warranty Deed or Signed/dated lease AND
  • Utility Bill (telephone, gas or electric)
  • Copy of your child's birth certificate
  • Updated CT Health Assessment form, through the 5-year old checkup

This year we have added an option where you can upload the required documents at the end of the online registration before you submit the form.  Without all of these, your child cannot be registered.


Should you have any questions, please call (203) 221-6300.

AROUND TOWN

WESTON YOUTH SERVICES

Weston Youth Services Welcomes Spring and Summer! 

 

Our WOW! catalogs for the spring session are now online for preview for students in Grades K-5We’re excited to introduce several new programs at HES including Kool Mandarin, Spring Into STEM with LEGO Materials, My First Lemonade Stand, and Mad Science’s NASA’s Milky Way Mission. New programs at WIS include My First Food Truck, Mad Science’s NASA’s Milky Way Mission, Bonjour mes Amis, Kool Mandarin, and Sew Together. And of course it wouldn’t be WOW! if we didn’t include our favorites! Registration begins on Wednesday, March 23rd at 10:01 a.m. To preview our catalogs and to register online, please visit our website at www.westonyouthservices.org. 

 

And if you’re undecided about your child’s summer plans and are looking for a camp that doesn’t require a long term commitment, then look no further! Weston Youth Services is pleased to be offering students, entering Grades 1-8 a variety of mini summer camps including Baking, Science, Legos, Business camps, Sewing and Chess. Online registration begins on Thursday, March 24th at 10:01 a.m.  Please visit our website at www.westonyouthservices.org to preview our catalog for program dates, grade eligibility, costs, details, and to register online. 

LACHAT TOWN FARM PROGRAMS

Bee Friends - Bee Club

The Wonderful World of Honey Bees - Honey Bees 101

The NEW Bee Friends - Bee Club, a nature adventure for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders to learn about and observe the amazing and wonderful world of honey bees.

Dawn Boulton, an Environmental Science Teacher at WHS, Boy Scout leader, and a mom, will guide your child through exciting and fun interactive learning activities; and professional Beekeeper, Rick Glover will explain and supervise close-up observations at the Lachat Town Farm’s beehives.

April 20th - May 25th,  Six Wednesdays, 3:45-5:30 pm

$90 for 6 weekly sessions, small group size, all materials included

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF HONEY BEES

www.lachattownfarm.org



Little Farmhands and Junior Farmhands Summer Programs

This summer, we’re offering the children of our community 9 amazing week-long sessions of nature-connection! With new themes in Wonderful Wildlife, Earth Engineers, Fantastical Fairyfolk, and more, your children will experience all of the beauty Lachat’s land has to offer.

Little Farmhands - Ages 5 - 8

Junior Farmhands - Ages 8 - 12

www.lachattownfarm.org

RAISING HUMANS IN A DIGITAL WORLD

The digital citizenship series with Diana Graber, author of Raising Humans in a Digital World and founder of Cyberwise, continues with two parent/student workshops.  Please note that each workshop has a unique registration link. The workshops are limited to 25 parent/student pairs. All participating students will be entered to win a $50 Amazon gift card. These workshops are made possible by Weston Youth Services and Weston Middle School PTO. If you have any questions, please contact Lauren Axelrod at laurenax@gmail.com


Workshop #1- March 15, 2022, 7 p.m. Digital Reputation: What You Post Online Matters. Link:

 https://bit.ly/3g0FVqX


Workshop #2- April 19, 2022, 7 p.m.  Being Kind Online: Behind Every Screen is a Real Person. Link:

https://bit.ly/33RulvR

Fire in the (Grange) Kitchen - Concert & Dinner - Sat., 3/12/22

Come join in the fun for an incredible evening of music at the Norfield Grange in Weston. 

$50/Person via PayPal, Venmo @LynKimberly or Check Made out to "Norfield Grange".
Limited capacity.

Please Note: Covid Precautions will be taken. Distancing and masks will be required. 

For more information and tickets:  https://americanwanderer.com/foundation

Proceeds to benefit: American Wanderer Foundation, Norfield Grange WHS Scholarship Fund & Fire in the Kitchen's Philanthropic Endeavors.

PARKS & REC PROGRAMS

Parks & Recreation Programs can be found here.

For Further Information Please Visit Our Website

Prior to registration online make sure you have updated your household account for 2021-2022 school year.  Review your family’s household account with your child’s current age, grade, address, phone number, etc.  You will not be able to complete the online registration for any program if you do not do this. 

***SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION***

Registration for our Weston summer camps have begun on www.westonct.gov/parksandrec.   Junior Eagle Day Camp (ages 3 – entering Kind. 2022), Soaring Eagle Day Camp (Ent. grades 1 – 2), Stars Camp (Ent. grs. 3 – 5) and All Stars (Ent. grs. 6 – 8).  Please view flyers on the website for more detailed information.   

 

***SPRING PROGRAMS REGISTRATION***

Registration for the Weston Parks & Recreation spring session has begun on. www.westonct.gov/parksandrec.   We are pleased to offer our programs with various activities.  All programs have limited space.  See our separate brochure on the Town website.  You will also find on our website video tutorials to help with your registration.   Program questions should be directed to Program Director, Joe Parciasepe at 203-222-2675.     

***SPORTS & FITNESS – SPRING***

Have fun while getting exercise in the spring session for grs. 3 – 5 with instructors Dan Ungar and Tom Ehret.  Days/dates:   Mon., April 18th – June 6th, Tues. April 5th – May 31st, Wed., April 20th – June 8th and/or Thurs. May 5th – June 9th.  Fee:   Monday class; 140.00, Tuesday and/or Wednesday classes; $160.00 or Thursday class; $120.00.         

***RUN CLUB***

Enjoy this popular running program with instructor Pascal Butcher.  Students will enjoy speed, agility and distance training.   Day/dates:  Wed., April 20th – June 8th.  Fee:  $160.00


***FIELD HOCKEY – SPRING***

Coach Amanda is back again this spring session for this field hockey program for girls.  Have fun while learning the fundamentals of the sport while having game play.  Day/dates:   Tues., April 19th – June 7th.    Fee:   $170.00.  

 

***AMERICAN RED CROSS SWIM LESSONS - WINTER***

Winter swim lessons are offered for children ages 1 and up.  Saturday and Sunday classes have begun and will run through March 19th and March 20th.   Various times are offered.  See separate flyer for details.  All classes are now full.

***AMERICAN RED CROSS SWIM LESSONS – SPRING***

A spring swim program will be offered.  More information will follow with dates and times.  

***SPORTS & FITNESS – GRS. 3 – 5 - WINTER SESSION 2***

Join instructors Tom Ehret and Dan Ungar for an exciting winter season of outdoor activities.      Day/dates:   Monday, Jan. 24th – March 28th, Tues., Feb. 1st – March 22nd, Wed., Feb. 2nd – March 23rd and/or Thurs., Feb. 24th - April 28th.     


WESTON RESOURCES

Town Hall Link: https://www.westonct.gov/about-us  

Weston Public Library: https://www.westonpubliclibrary.org/ 

Weston Historical Society: https://www.westonhistoricalsociety.org/ 

Weston Garden Club: https://www.westongardenclub.com/

Weston Education Foundation: https://www.westoneducationfoundation.org/

SUBMISSIONS

  • The WIS PTO newsletter is distributed on Fridays, please send your submissions by the prior Wednesday, 2 pm.
  • It is your responsibility to write and submit your relevant WIS activity each week.
  • All submissions should be either included in the text of your email or attached in Word format and the content should be print-ready (please proofread!). Keep it simple and short.
  • If you have a flyer, please submit a brief write-up along with it in PDF format and we will link it to the newsletter.
  • Please send all necessary links, there will be a click "here" linking to the more detailed information.
  • If you want to re-run a write-up from the previous week, check to see if it requires updating, i.e. changing the wording from  "next week" to "this week", etc.  If so, please make appropriate changes and re-send the revised write-up.
  • All submissions should be sent to: wisptocommunications@westonpspto.org. All will be acknowledged.
  • Submissions should be relevant to WIS and the town of Weston (i.e., town sports programs, Town of Weston sponsored community events or after-school sports programs for students taking place in the Town of Weston). If there is any question regarding the relevance of submission, final approval will be determined by the HES PTO Communications Chair and/or President.
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